CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Ezra
I worry about Harlow all night, hoping I didn’t actually hurt her. I don’t think I was overly rough, but she made me lose my mind a little bit. The bite mark proves that. Her body is insane—those perfect tits, and her tiny waist. Then the sounds she makes, showing exactly what she likes and what she loves. Shit, I’m getting hard again just remembering it. But she closed down at the end.
Maybe it wasn’t good for her? Maybe she doesn’t like to be marked. Maybe she’s a spectacular actress, because watching her come was the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen. But maybe she faked it. Fuck, I don’t know. I wish I hadn’t left, but I felt like she was uncomfortable with me there, and that’s the last thing I’d want, especially in her own home. I can’t wait to know her better and figure out her boundaries—when I can push a little and when to back down. This second-guessing is torture.
I don’t want to go back over until she texts me, so I get ready for work and leave without seeing her. I know she has work at ten, so she’s probably already gone, and on the way in to work I finally hear from her.
Harlow:Morning :)
That’s good, right? Seems pretty blasé to me, which means she’s not pulling back. Maybe she’s worried I’m less interested now we’ve had sex? I wish she’d just talk to me, but I understand we haven’t known each other that long. I need to make it clear I’m in this for the long haul.
Ezra:Morning. I hope you slept well. Are you okay? That’s the last time I leave you alone when you’re naked in your bed
Harlow:Deal. Redo tonight?
A breath of relief escapes me, and my day looks up from there. The guys at the shop rib me for my good mood, but I don’t care. I spend some time finalizing Harlow’s design and take my tablet to show her how it’ll look on her. Sawyer opens the door when I get to theirs.
“Hey man, how are you?”
“Not bad, and you?”
“Great. Where are you off to?” Before he can answer, Harlow comes out, pulling a hoodie over her head.
“I thought I heard you.”
“Hey,” I say around my grin as I meet her halfway, pulling her to me for a kiss.
“I’ll see you later,” Sawyer calls as he leaves.
“What’s his rush?” Harlow’s grin dims just a little, but she tries to cover it quickly.
“Eager to see Mandy, I guess.”
“Who’s Mandy?”
“One of his fuck buddies. Did you eat?” I can see she’s trying to change the subject, so I go with it and call in an order to be delivered. When that’s done and we’re settled on the couch, I pull my tablet out.
“I’ve got something to show you.”
“Oh yeah?” I bring up the program that shows her tattoo in place and hand it over. “Oh my god, Ezra, that’s perfect!”
“You sure? I printed this out if you wanna make any changes.” I show her the larger print of the full design that she could amend, but she gapes and strokes the lines with her fingertips.
“No way! It’s exactly what I wanted.”
“Not too big?” It’s only her first, and I don’t want to overwhelm the area if she’s after something more subtle.
“No! How did you get that photo of me?”
“It’s not a photo, it’s an animation.”
“You drew that?”
“Kind of. I wanted you to see it onyoubefore you committed.” I show her how it spins so she can see the different angles and check you can’t see it from the front.
“That’s incredible. The tattoo and the show-and-tell. When can we do it?” she asks, tearing her gaze from the designs for the first time and looking over at me with excitement.